Royal Navy Sick Berth Reserve and Grenadier Guards.

Awarded the Military Medal in the London Gazette of 11 February 1919.

Sharples was a native of Brierfield, Lancashire.

The Burnley Express of 23 August 1919 reported, MEDALS AWARDED. In this report it says, "Regarding Corporal Sharples, the Chairman said he was a Brierfield young man and was 29 years of age. He voluntarily enlisted on the 11 October 1915, in the Sick Berth Reserve, and served with that section of the Royal Navy for 13 months. He left them to join the Grenadier Guards. He served on the Ypres Front, and was wounded on the 31 July, 1917, and was invalided home for four months. He was again sent to France, and was promoted to corporal whilst in the trenches, and was wounded again. The Military Medal was awarded to him for leading two sections. He showed great gallantry and initiative and captured two outposts and ten prisoners, killing the rest.As a result of the action fought on this occasionthe enemy are reported to have retired 10 miles. Corporal Sharples had five brothers who have served, one of them is now in a Military Hospital".

Registered paper 68/121/757, schedule number 205896.